Late News

Published on April 19, 2004.

[Washington] Republican Nebraska congressman and former University of Nebraska coach Tom Osborne wants to ban all alcohol advertising from NCAA events, and has introduced a resolution in Congress to that end. Ad groups are already protesting. "The resolution is based upon the flawed premise that college athletics are broadcast primarily to underage audiences," said a letter, sent by the American Advertising Federation, Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies. The letter then cites Nielsen Media Research indicating that 87% of people watching college football and basketball are over 21. While the resolution would have no legal force, spokesmen for ad groups last week said they were concerned about Congress getting involved. An aide to Rep. Osborne did not immediately return calls concerning the letter.

McD's, Discovery ink `Trading Spaces' deal

[Oak Brook, Ill.] McDonald's Corp. has inked a deal with Discovery Networks' "Trading Spaces: Family" to have the redecorating reality show spruce up a Ronald McDonald House, which offers families of critically ill children a place to stay near major hospitals. Designer Doug Wilson will be featured in eight vignettes to air throughout the TLC show's next season. Omnicom Group's OMD, McDonald's media shop, engineered the deal. The project signals the beginning of a larger multi-platform relationship between the burger franchise and the network that will roll out this year and will emphasize not only McDonald's charitable good works, but also its new positioning as a health-conscious food service. A McDonald's Web site will feature a Web cam monitoring the progress of the makeover. See AdAge.com QwikFIND aap55b

[New York] Walt Disney Co.'s ABC and WPP Group's MindShare North America have announced the first project stemming from their programming-development deal signed last year. Six episodes of "The Days," a family drama from Tollin/Robbins Productions, will air this summer with the backing and involvement of Unilever and another unnamed MindShare client. Susan Lyne, president of ABC Entertainment, and Peter Tortorici, director-programming at MindShare, led the development on this project. "The Days" will revolve around the lives of a two-career couple with three kids, as viewed through the eyes of a cynical 14-year-old son.

WPP shareholders OK executive compensation

[London] WPP Group shareholders approved a revised compensation plan that would grant stock incentives to 19 executives, including up to $80 million to Chief Executive Martin Sorrell (AA, April 12). In a special meeting, 79.8% of shareholders voted to approve the Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan, with 15.15% against and 5.05% abstaining. See AdAge.com QwikFIND aap54w

[Plano, Texas] J.C. Penney Co. is moving its estimated $15 million U.S. Hispanic account to Omnicom Group's Dieste, Harmel & Partners, Dallas, from Cartel Creativo, San Antonio, an independent U.S. Hispanic agency. Manny Fernandez, manager of multicultural marketing, said the company was familiar with Dieste from an earlier local branding project, and wanted to strategically align marketing efforts. Omnicom's DDB Worldwide is the retailer's general-market agency.

Kerry campaign launches ad push; emphasis on bio

[Washington] Presidential challenger Sen. John Kerry, who has done relatively little advertising since becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, launches a major ad push this week with many of the first ads expected to be biographical. The Massachusetts senator last week told a fundraiser that the spots from Shrum, Devine & Donilon, Washington, were intended to offset the Bush campaign's spots. A campaign official said the spots, likely to air in 17 contested states, were "to introduce John Kerry to people who are not familiar with him."

Air America back on in Chicago; L.A. pending

[New York] Air America Radio, the much-hyped, left-leaning talk radio network, returned to the airwaves in Chicago last April 16 after its programming was pulled April 14 there as well as in Los Angeles. Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, which leases air time to Air America for Windy City station WNTD-950 AM and Los Angeles' KBLA-1580 AM, pulled the programming because Air America was late on a payment. Air America successfully sought an injunction from New York State Supreme Court to return to the air. "Air America will now turn its focus to Los Angeles, seeking legal remedies and exploring other broadcast options with a partner who is more responsible and mature," said Evan Cohen, chairman of Air America Radio in a statement. Calls to Multicultural Radio Broadcasting were not returned at press time.

FYI...

The American Red Cross is conducting a review for its $3 million to $5 million creative and media account. The disaster-relief organization has contacted 11 small and large agencies across the country as well as the incumbent, Nerve, an independent in Portland, Ore. ... WPP's Y&R Advertising, New York, has hired Bob Kantor as global client leader to manage Cadbury Schweppe's Dr. Pepper/Seven-Up account. He was most recently chairman of Rotter Kantor, a New York based advertising agency. ... Tyco International and The Lagrant Foundation established a three-year, $300,000 partnership to develop an internship program to cultivate minority students for careers in advertising, marketing and public relations. Ten interns will be placed each year within Tyco's marketing and communications departments in the U.S. ... American Honda Motor Co. integrated its sponsorship of Major League Soccer with its first Hispanic-targeted ads of 2004 in the sport's official programs. The ad, by La Agencia de Orci, Los Angeles, is also the first to the community for Honda's boxy Element SUV. ... The U.S. Army said it would again award a single ad contract, but said it would go to either a "best full service advertising/marketing partner" or "consortium marketing communications agency." Publicis' Leo Burnett USA currently handles. ... Sirius Satellite Radio finished first round meetings with contenders for its estimated $30 million advertising account after parting with MDC Partners' Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Miami, said a company spokesman. The satellite radio marketer is expected to narrow the field to two this week from a handful of contenders said to include Omnicom's DDB and BBDO; and independent Doner, Southfield, Mich. Agency executives could not be reached for comment.